Grupo Fantasma
Who is Grupo Fantasma? "The best band in Austin," says Austin Chronicle music critic Jim Caliguiri. "The only other band I've seen get that kind of audience reaction was the Ramones." Fantasma is the closest thing you'll hear to the classic Fania All-Stars live recordings from the mid-1970s, which still represent the definition of elegant, yet, incendiary funk. Fantasmas' dominating live show features powerhouse horn and rhythm sections, blistering lead guitars and captivating vocals all wrapped in an air-tight James Brown groove.
Dubbed "one of the all-time great Texas dance bands" by Pop Culture Press, the 11-man Latin music Juggernaut known as Grupo Fantasma is considered by many to be the most exciting group to emerge from the formidable Austin, Texas music scene in the last couple of years. And now, with the support of a new friend and advocate, Prince, it looks like the Latin powerhouse is set to expand their horizons, recently inviting them to perform with him at the 2007 Alma Awards. Other notable gigs have included his A-list Golden Globes after-party, an opening slot at the Hard Rock Casino in Fort Lauderdale, and The CBS Super Bowl party on Miami Beach.
Hailing from such far-flung places as New York City, Managua, Nicaragua, and Laredo, Texas, the band successfully obliterates the clichés that often plague the current Latin music market, all the while keeping their feet firmly planted in the traditions that they love and deeply respect. "Just flow. Dance how you want to dance," vocalist/percussionist Jose Galeano urges. "If you don't dance to our music something is just not right. When in doubt," he adds with a grin, "just follow the cowbell."
AWARDS
2007 Austin Music Awards: Best Latin Band
2006 Premios de Musica Latina (Univision Awards) Best Band
2006 Austin Music Awards: Best Latin Band
2006 Austin Music Awards: Best Horns
2005 Premios de Musica Latina (Univision Awards) Best Latin Rock
2005 Austin Music Awards: Best Latin Band
2005 Austin Music Awards: Best Horns
2004 Austin Music Awards: Best Latin Band
2003 Austin Music Awards: Best Latin Band
2002 Austin Music Awards: Best Latin Band
QUOTES?
"This freight train of a Latin band could easily hold its own in a sweaty bandbox in the Bronx...they'll knock you down with the grooves." -The Village Voice
"One of the all-time great Texas dance bands.........Their catchy sounds straddle so many musical genres that putting them in a particular niche seems pointless." -Pop Culture Press
"One of the sickest live bands ever." -The Philadelphia Weekly